Has anyone used any of these Vivistar unbranded DVD-Rs?
Any problems encountered?
Only asking as I have sourced a good price on them, but its not a good price if they are crap 
Cheers
Les
No, but I've tried Princo DVD-R and DVD-RW which are also a budget disc from Lynx at www.lynxdvd.co.uk. These cost me £1.69 and £4.50 plus vat respectively.
They are advertised as being suitable for the Pioneer AO3 specifically. So far I've found that the -Rs have a few stutters played on Panasonic set top players but the -RWs so far appear fine.
Like you, I would be interested in other members' experiences...
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Hedley Wright
Used the princo DVD-r & Rw also, and not too impressed to be honest!
The DVD-RW Princos can be bought for £11 for 5 from bigpockets - which I think speaks volumes of their quality!
The Vivistar I mentioned are 95p - hence why I asked what they are like to someone with first hand experience. I have now used a sample 2 discs and they appear better than the Princos - at half the price
Les
I posted a warning about a month ago about the Vivastar disks that I had tried at that time - they were not recognised by a standalone player though they would play on a computer DVD player.
Ray Liffen
Also a thumbs down for the Princo discs from me, not had any trouble at all with the other cheap unbranded discs.
I got 10 of the Princo ones, and 2 have gone in the bin with bad stuttering.
where in God's name are you getting blank DVD-Rs for 95p each??!??!??!??
I thought the Princos were cheap. No idea about quality cause I'm new to the whole burning thing.
has anyone had a chance to test the Vivistars??
tomarse
We sell vivastar DVD-r
We at present have had no problems but there is a lot of B Grade Stock in circulation.
So i would ask before you buy.
(not all writers like all media)
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Kind Regards
Simon
The Customer is King
BigPockets.co.uk
The Vivistars are 95p from DVD Technologies in Reading.
quote:Originally posted by hedleyw:
No, but I've tried Princo DVD-R and DVD-RW which are also a budget disc from Lynx at www.lynxdvd.co.uk. These cost me £1.69 and £4.50 plus vat respectively.They are advertised as being suitable for the Pioneer AO3 specifically. So far I've found that the -Rs have a few stutters played on Panasonic set top players but the -RWs so far appear fine.
Like you, I would be interested in other members' experiences...
Just to clear up, the "General Use DVD-R" Media we sell is not Princo Media. The discs are manufacturered for us here in the UK by FWS Ventures.
We have had no major problems with them (apart from them not liking Panasonic machines) accept a small batch a few weeks back that the factory replaced for us, maybe your problem is the way the disc has been written - what software did you use?
And I'm afraid that after seeing their samples, we will not be selling either Princo, Datasafe or Vivistar DVD-R discs.
Calling them a B Grade disc is a compliment 
(no problems with Princo DVD-RW though, perhaps we have a different batch to others).
[This message has been edited by Ian at LynxDV.com (edited 27 March 2002).]
I bought a pack of 10 unbranded Princo DVD-R discs from bigpockets.co.uk a little while back - every one a coaster!
[This message has been edited by pcwells (edited 27 March 2002).]
I would echo Hedley's comments on the DVD-R/DVD-RW media from Lynx - Princo DVD-RW no problems so far, unbranded DVD-R stuttery playback on at least 2 different players (disks bought in mid January).
Also, I recently noticed that John Lewis is selling Apple DVD-R disks at £25 for a pack of 5.
Tony
Apple UK charging £17 for branded 5xDVD-Rs. (+P&P and VAT)
All unbranded DVD-Rs I have tried play (and verify 100% OK) on computer drives; and yet NONE play on any set-top boxes I've tried. So - fine for data backup, but no good for DVD video.
Les, where is DVD Technologies in Reading? Any links? (Too lazy to look for myself. )
to follow on from Ian @ lynx, I bought 5 of his unbranded DVD-Rs (with nice cases included), and with the one succesful dvd I've burned I've not had a problem.
given all the problems people have with software/firmware/A03 etc, I don't understand how anyone can attribute playback problems to the media. Seems like people are blaming the problems they have with the authoring software or the crazy world of DVD compliance on the media. The DVD i burned worked fine on my housemate's Alba player but not on my 2 year old Samsung 709. was that to do with the media or the fact that my player is a piece of shit. I know where I'd put my money (well, into a new firmware chip for my piece of shit 709, actually...)
tom
Are you trying to say there is no difference in the media itself? If you are, you are most certainly *incorrect*.
Until I modified my DVD Player, I had several Princos, that played, but would stick. Playing in my DVD ROM proved the recording was fine. Using the same film, but burnt onto one of the Pioneer DVD-Rs that came with the A03, proved 100% successful.
Yes I would agree if a player is DVD-R compliant, it should play anything that is thrown at it. But the above proves that the media itself *does* play a big part in whether you have success or not.
Putting it simply - you are less likely to have problems with more expensive branded media. You get what you pay for - though diminishing returns most definately applies.
quote:Originally posted by uycs:
........... I don't understand how anyone can attribute playback problems to the media.........
When I burn three disks in succession, on the same hardware+software and content, firstly on branded media, the second one on unbranded media, and the third on branded, and THEN the middle one doesn't play on a set-top DVD player - I blame the media. Reasonable?
quote:Originally posted by Ian at LynxDV.com:
Just to clear up, the "General Use DVD-R" Media we sell [b]is not Princo Media. The discs are manufacturered for us here in the UK by FWS Ventures.We have had no major problems with them (apart from them not liking Panasonic machines) accept a small batch a few weeks back that the factory replaced for us, maybe your problem is the way the disc has been written - what software did you use?
(no problems with Princo DVD-RW though, perhaps we have a different batch to others).
B]
Ian
Apologies for the brand confusion on the DVD-R media.
I consistently get "stutters" on Panasonic set-tops with these, irrespective of software (DVD Complete, DVD Workshop, DVD MovieFactory, own encoders and Tmpeg). I have never had a problem with Princo DVD-RW bought from you on the same players and software combinations; Mitsui DVD-R have also been 100% reliable under the same test conditions.
The generic DVD-R's are always OK on PC software players, but fall down on set-tops - this is of course to be expected as you advertise them as being suitable for the Pioneer AO3 specifically
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Hedley Wright
[This message has been edited by hedleyw (edited 28 March 2002).]
The unbranded DVD-R (FWS media) discs work fine in my Yelo 800, although I must admit its the only standalone I know that plays them without problems.
If the discs are for other people I tend to use Apple brand, but for myself I'm happy with the savings I can make with the unbranded discs.
Gareth
I agree with Hedley and Mooblie - same project burnt on Princo DVD-RW or Pioneer DVD-R plays OK, burnt on unbranded Lynx DVD-R the playback will stall occasionally then start again, accompanied by noises from the player which suggest it's having problems reading the data from the disk.
One player is Hitachi DVP-250, other is Cyberhome ADL-528 (fitted with Hitachi DVD-ROM drive), so the Hitachi drives are a common factor here.
Tony
I stand well and truly corrected. if you test the discs against others burnt in exactly the same way and there is a difference, then fine.
I just feel that what Les said: "Putting it simply - you are less likely to have problems with more expensive branded media. You get what you pay for - though diminishing returns most definately applies." is exactly what the manufacturers of those more expensive brands would have you believe so they can charge more.
can anyone explain why any disc should be technically any different to another? they are all DVDs, after all.
I do believe that in some cases you do get what you pay for, but expensive doens't automatically mean good. neither does "branded". Nike trainers are expensive and branded but you wouldn't get them anywhere near my feet because I know they'd fall apart in two months. And if that isn't libelous, I don't know what is..... (sorry Nike, I don't mean it really!!)
tom
I just feel that what Les said: "Putting it simply - you are less likely to have problems with more expensive branded media. You get what you pay for - though diminishing returns most definately applies." is exactly what the manufacturers of those more expensive brands would have you believe so they can charge more.
can anyone explain why any disc should be technically any different to another? they are all DVDs, after all.
Would you agree some cdrs are better than others? Why would you think dvd-r would be any different?
It shouldn't be too hard to see that some discs are manufactured better than others. Buy some cheap CDRs and hold them up to the light. You will be able to see just how thin the coating is, compared to a better disc. The principle applies to DVD-R. And is exactly why I made the statement I did - covered by the the diminishing returns remark. I stand by what I said!
I do believe that in some cases you do get what you pay for, but expensive doens't automatically mean good.
Agreed - but there is a higher percentage change it will be. I will add that obviously some discs wont like some players - so your comments are valid.
neither does "branded". Nike trainers are expensive and branded but you wouldn't get them anywhere near my feet because I know they'd fall apart in two months. And if that isn't libelous, I don't know what is..... (sorry Nike, I don't mean it really!!)
Cant really comment on your smelly feet
Les
You either pays your money and takes your chances or pay a few pounds more and get a good product. I learned this a long time ago
(I bought 1000 1hr VHS tapes, They were recycled computer tapes.The loss of money was miniscule compared to my loss of reputation)
It`s a false economy to buy unbranded untried and unproven media.
If you look at the FWS Media compared to say, an Apple one, they are slightly thinner.
Personally we've tested the media on Yelo, Kiiro and PS2's without problems, but obviously I can't buy every player on the market so can't guarantee compatibility (and in the case of the PS2, there are 5 different grades of laser in them depending on the model, so a disc that plays in one player may not play in another).
Of course, as I've covered before, DVD-R is not DVD-Video, they are two completely different disc formats, in order to be able to call "your" player a DVD Player, the manufacturer only has to prove compatibility for DVD-Video, the "DVD-Video Set Top Player" specifications do not include DVD-R or DVD-RW - even today there are manufacturers releasing players with no provision for CD-R, let alone DVD-R.
@hedleyw, no problem, I just wanted to clear up who makes them, Panasonic's DVD-R machines are known for their incompatibility with these disc and every player will react differently to different brands of media, so it doesn't suprise me that the don't play correctly, if you want to send the unused ones back, no problem, just give me a call Tuesday (if we're not in a day of mourning etc.).
When I asked how you were burning them it was literally that, are you burning directly from the programs mentioned, or another burner such as Nero?
[This message has been edited by Ian at LynxDV.com (edited 30 March 2002).]
quote:Originally posted by Ian at LynxDV.com:
@hedleyw, no problem, I just wanted to clear up who makes them, Panasonic's DVD-R machines are known for their incompatibility with these disc and every player will react differently to different brands of media, so it doesn't suprise me that the don't play correctly, if you want to send the unused ones back, no problem, just give me a call Tuesday (if we're not in a day of mourning etc.).
TVM for the offer but I'm happy to keep them for use with the A03 - they are still good value
quote:When I asked how you were burning them it was literally that, are you burning directly from the programs mentioned, or another burner such as Nero?
Directly from the authoring software - for some reason I haven't yet fathomed out I've not been able to burn DVD's successfully using the bundled Instant CD+DVD.
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Hedley Wright
[This message has been edited by hedleyw (edited 31 March 2002).]
quote:Originally posted by hedleyw:
Directly from the authoring software - for some reason I haven't yet fathomed out I've not been able to burn DVD's successfully using the bundled Instant CD+DVD.
This might sound a silly question, but I can't remember every customer by name, so did you get your A03 from us?
quote:Originally posted by Ian at LynxDV.com:
This might sound a silly question, but I can't remember every customer by name, so did you get your A03 from us?
No 
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Hedley Wright
I have used their discs with their new rs111 recorder so far both were crap for me.
So........
Anyone looking for cheap (ish) DVD-R's that are reliable and will play on MOST set top boxes should go for...........
??????????????
Are you sure i thought the %$$$$3£££))** brand were the best much more set top compatable or so i am told.
quote:Originally posted by jez275:
So........Anyone looking for cheap (ish) DVD-R's that are reliable and will play on MOST set top boxes should go for...........
??????????????
FYI:
There is a new type low cost disc that we have, but it's only available to members at present due to very limited stocks.
It's sold under the Lynx DVD Brand, and totally unbranded silver topp'd, in DVD-Case.
The few that have had them say the are as good as any branded disc (Pioneer, Apple, Verbatim etc.)
For what it's worth The Mitsui discs from http://www.lynxdv.com solved all my problems when coupled with the Vivastar RS111 and Ulead Movie Factory. I would add that Ian at Lynxdv was most helpful, the discs are great and the service exemplary.
Hi,
In reply to Ian's comments regarding the Lynx2 Disc's.
Can confirm that, on my Yelo 800, the "new" version 2 disc's are great.
Personally i did not have any problems with the original ones, and are still much cheaper.
But have tried Apple/Mitsui/Pioneer/Verbatim/ and another unbranded make before i started using "Lynx Media,
And would recommend the new Lynx V2 in preference to any of the above,
***This is based on viewing through playback on my Yelo 800 DVD, i imagine the real test will be compatability with other players, (as the yelo tends to play almost anything).***
On the yelo these discs also play fine with or without labelling......
Kindest regards all.
The FWS (Vers 2) discs you refer, are currently sold by www.bigpockets.co.uk for £2 each. Sold in a DVD case - and ATM an extra DVD case is supplied as a free extra!
Every little helps;)
I picked up some of the v2's from Lynx DV yesterday (thanks to Ian and his wife for their excellent service!)
I burnt one last night but unfortuately it DID have some breakup (in one or two scenes only) that I did not get from exactly the same setup (same files, Nero burn and set-top box) using both Pioneer and Apple disks.
Looking at the bitrate i noticed that there was a 10k spike just before the breakup which may have caused it, which the Pioneer and Apple disks maybe were more forgiving of.
Does this make sense, and has anyone else encountered this?
I'll test again over the week-end.
Jez
Jez, can you bring the disc back in some time so I can have a look at it?
Update on my experiences with the new disk.
Burned another disk, same issue with (some) breakup on my Pioner 525.
BUT.
I tried both disks on cheapo proline and Accoustic Instruments (Richer Sounds) machines and had NO PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER. So it may be the Pioneer 525 being "over sensitive", although it plays the Apple and Pioneer disks perfectly.
I'm conscious that I may be pushing the max bitrate to the full (CBR 8000 on tmpgenc 2.53), and I notice that all my MPEGS have unusually high volumes (dont know whether this may impact). Stuart B-M's sent me a previous version and presets (ta Stuart!) so I'll give them a go on my next project.
Jez
Stick a label on one of them and try playing it again.....
Ian, do you think that adding a label may make a difference to them?
I ask as I have a strange problem with some (legendary) Princo discs!
I bought 20 - sent 6 back as they had scratches on them! The replacements they sent, I have just got round to using 2 of them. The authoring seemed fine in test, the burn went fine, test in my PC was fine. Playing back in the standalone, got a total no play! Error message - Invalid entry!
I reburnt them both on other princos I have (from a different source), and both play fine. Pointing a very accusing finger at the replacement Princos!
Certainly worth a try with a label - but appreciate your thoughts on the above!
Not that it should make any differnce - OS = XP, Authoring = SpruceUp, A03 burner using Recordnow MAx.
Cheers
Les
Labels can sometimes improve playback, it's not a proven theory just some media we tried worked better with them, based on:
The Apple and Pioneer media has and extra layer on it, for writing on, so applying a plain label to a disc without this layer might help.
Out of interest, do you know the timecode of the glitches, wouldn't be at the 30 to 36 minutes would it?
I can't really comment on the Princo DVD-R as we don't sell them, the ones I had as samples were fine in the Yelo but refused to play in the Kiiro so we didn't take them, they also sent a second batch which were not as good.
[This message has been edited by Ian at LynxDV.com (edited 24 April 2002).]
There are no glitches as such - ie it isnt a stutterer, but the disc itself just refuses to load into my standalone (Raite) - and also another player (Sony), both of which play DVD-R fine.
As mentioned, the burn was fine and the authoring itself is fine, since a reburn on a different batch Princo, works fine.
On studying the discs, one thing I have noticed, though I honestly cant see it making a diference. Near the centre, discs normally have a perfectly symetrical 2mm band of dye, which is slightly different in colour to the rest of the disc. In thes "faulty" ones, that disc is slightly imperfect. ie the inner and outer edges are not 100%. Would that make a difference? I know its clutching at straws!
Les